You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 69 Closed door

Gu Xizhi watched as Tong Shouliang entered the inner yamen, gave a cold smile, and turned to return to her residence.

Guanqi followed behind, chattering as he walked.

"The twenty taels of silver were well spent. This lawyer is quite eloquent and remains calm in the face of power."

"What a pity about your jade pendant. It was carefully selected for you by the Empress Dowager, and now it's smashed to pieces. You did a good deed anonymously, so at least let Miss Liangjiang know that you helped her."

Gu Xizhi was preoccupied and didn't respond to his words.

Guanqi continued to ramble on: "This Miss Liang is really good at hiding her true abilities and keeping a low profile. Her secret as the city lord was already enough to surprise me for days, but who knew she also had the identity of a princess."

Judging from the expressions on the Fang family's faces just now, I was laughing so hard I almost cramped up, even standing outside the hall. After all that careful selection and scheming, who knew they'd end up offending a princess from the Duke's mansion?

Your Highness, are you so insightful that you already knew all along? Is that why you've been secretly helping this young lady all this time?

Gu Xizhi suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Is this guy asking a question he already knows the answer to?
If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have been as stunned as Liang Jiang when he learned her true identity.

In fact, I should have guessed it long ago. She came from Yuhua Mountain and had a good relationship with Lu Xingzhan. For the first time ever, Deputy General He asked me for help because of her.

I always believed that the mother and daughter had really been murdered, and I never doubted it!

Not to mention that Fang Chengxu is blind to talent, he himself is no better.

He turned to Guanqi and asked, "Do you think it's possible that the person who attacked you that night at Liangguo Cemetery was her?"

Guan Qi shook his head almost without hesitation: "Definitely not."

"Why? Only she would secretly offer sacrifices to the Duke of Liang."

"I saw it very clearly when Fang Chengxu fought her just now. Fang Chengxu's palm strike was not skillful. Not only could she not dodge it, but she was also almost vomited blood."

"You don't know, the woman who committed the crime at Liangguo Cemetery that day was as swift as a ghost. Not to mention Fang Chengxu, even General Tong might not have been a match for her."

Gu Xizhi said suspiciously, "If the woman who challenged Black Wind Temple was really her, her martial arts skills shouldn't be that bad. Perhaps she was just pretending to punish Fang Chengxu."

"It is said that the fire at Heifeng Temple started at the beginning of Xu hour. She should still be at Heifeng Temple at that time, so it is impossible for her to be at Liangguo Cemetery at the same time."

The analysis from the chess player is very insightful.

Black Wind Temple is not close to Liangguo Cemetery; even on horseback, she could not travel that fast.

He frowned slightly, somewhat disappointed.

Guanqi asked curiously, "Your Highness, you seem quite interested in the woman who attacked me?"

Gu Xizhi glanced at him indifferently: "I asked you to send people to inquire about the Duke's mansion, but there have been no results. Can't I investigate myself?"

Guanqi scratched his head: "After the Duke of Liangguo sacrificed himself, most of the old people in this mansion have passed away. Among the remaining young women, there are very few who know martial arts, let alone such amazing skills."

"It's a case of choosing the best from the worst. Rumor has it that the second young lady of the Duke's mansion is not only skilled in embroidery and calligraphy, but also received martial arts instruction personally from the Duke himself in her youth. Why don't we invite her out and test her out a bit?"

Gu Xizhi snorted: "I have never met her before. Don't you think it's too presumptuous of me to deliberately invite her?"

Guan Qi's eyes lit up: "That's easy. Hasn't the Empress Dowager always been a big fan of Madam Liu's embroidery? I've heard that Liang Su, the second young lady of the Duke's mansion, has always claimed to be a disciple of Madam Liu."

You could visit Master Liang and say you'd like to ask Miss Liang for a piece of embroidery by Lady Liu to present to the Empress Dowager as a birthday gift. Wouldn't that be perfectly legitimate?

Gu Xizhi was clearly moved, and after a slight hesitation, said, "Perfect timing. I also have official business to discuss with Master Liang. Could you please send a visiting card to the Duke's Mansion for me? I will personally pay a visit tomorrow at 9:00 AM."

The next day, at the Duke's Mansion.

Liang Jiang jumped down from the carriage, glanced at the tightly closed gates of the Duke's mansion, and turned to help Lady Liang.

Two years later, the two finally returned to the Duke's mansion. Standing outside the imposing gate, they were filled with emotion.

Since last night's events were so tumultuous and her identity could no longer be concealed, Madam Liang said it would be unreasonable not to return and pay her respects to the Liang family matriarch. Liang Jiang stepped forward and gently knocked on the door knocker.

A hoarse voice inside asked, "Who is it?"

Liang Jiang recognized the voice: "Uncle Ya, it's me, Liang Jiang. My mother and I have returned."

"Who?" The voice was filled with disbelief. "Madam, is it you who has returned?"

Madam Liang stepped forward: "It's us. We've come home to visit."

Hurried footsteps came from inside the door, and someone's hands trembled as they reached for the bolt. Their voice was full of excitement.

"You are indeed still alive! What they said is true! The person at the government office last night was indeed you, Madam!"

The bolt had just been lifted when it slammed back down, and someone shouted angrily:

"Old mute, have you forgotten what the old lady and the second master just told you this morning? Who told you to open the door?"

The mute man's voice trembled as he spoke from inside the door: "Steward Qin, it's Madam and the young princess, they've returned!"

"No one is allowed to come back!" Butler Qin barked arrogantly. "Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, he wouldn't be allowed in! If you say another word, pack your bags and get out!"

Liang Jiang and Lady Liang had already discerned the implied meaning.

The old lady and Master Liang were targeting none other than Liang Jiang and her daughter.

The gate was kept tightly shut, precisely because they had anticipated that Madam Liang would come to pay her respects, and thus refused her entry.

Lady Liang's eyes darkened, but Liang Jiang was filled with anger.

They've lived in the Duke's mansion for so long that they naturally assume it should belong to them.

By usurping the nest, they have instead kept the true owner out.

Liang Jiang angrily rebuked, "Where did this dog servant come from? Ya Bo is a meritorious person. The Duke's mansion is his home. It is not your place to act arrogantly and make decisions here."

Steward Qin scoffed, "I am the steward of this Duke's mansion. Second Master Liang has entrusted me with this important task, so I have the final say on the fate of the servants in this mansion. It is inappropriate for outsiders to interfere."

When Liang Jiang's temper flared up, she lifted her skirt and tried to kick the door open to teach him a lesson.

Madam Liang grabbed her arm: "Jiang'er, don't be impulsive."

She stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Steward Qin, is that right? Please inform the old lady for us, and tell her..."

"The old lady gave instructions beforehand," Steward Qin interrupted Madam Liang before she could finish speaking, "She will not feel well today, tomorrow, or the day after, and will not see anyone. You have come at the wrong time. Please go back and do not come again."

Lady Liang pursed her lips and instructed Liang Jiang, "Jiang'er, let's go."

"Mother, why?"

How can I swallow this? It's so frustrating!

Madam Liang said calmly, "We've come at the wrong time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of jade pendants tinkling could be heard from inside, and Steward Qin's voice immediately became obsequious.

"Second Miss, are you going out?"

“Yes, open the door.” It was Liang Su’s voice from the second room.

Manager Qin said cautiously, "Please wait a moment. I'll open the door for you as soon as it gets quiet outside."

“Last night, the Prince of Pingxi sent a visiting card to my father, and he will personally visit at 9:00 AM today. Come with me to the Zhaixing Tower across the street and reserve a table at a top-class restaurant. If we are late, we may not be able to prepare dishes such as bird's nest and shark fin.”

(End of this chapter)